It’s time for the SummerTyne Americana Festival

EVEN the threat of rain won’t be enough to dampen fans’ enthusiasm as the SummerTyne Americana Festival prepares for lift-off tomorrow.

EVEN the threat of rain won’t be enough to dampen fans’ enthusiasm as the SummerTyne Americana Festival prepares for lift-off tomorrow.

Come rain or come shine, the return of the popular weekender to The Sage Gateshead and banks of the Tyne brings a packed programme of stomping sounds and all-round entertainment guaranteed to keep us smiling.

First up will be Home Fries, a pick of the region’s best musicians – including the Buffalo Skinners, Little Mo Trio, Lesley Roley & Friends, Nathalie Stern, Damascus, Jess & the Pimptones, and the Cornshed Sisters – who’ll be playing for free on the outdoor stage .

Then the coming evening will welcome The Mavericks’ singer Raul Malo, who joins Northern Sinfonia in Hall One of the Sage for a mix of country, Tex Mex and Latin numbers, while next door in Hall Two vintage Nashville sounds from The Secret Sisters will be followed by more of the same later as Paul Burch and band celebrate the golden era.

Saturday’s outdoor highlight is the popular Jumpin’ Hot Stage while indoor entertainment sees “Soul Queen of New Orleans” Irma Thomas lead the way in one of just two UK shows she’s doing.

And Texan Lyle Lovett will help wrap up the festival on Sunday.

For the full SummerTyne music programme, plus linked events including a poster fair, river cruise and bus tour, visit www.thesagegateshead.org

An added attraction for visitors will be another festival running on the quayside throughout the weekend – the first Quayside Balboa Festival, where they’ll be able to get into the swing of an American dance craze of the 20s and 30s.

Organised by recent Newcastle University graduate Navello Caretto, the weekend will celebrate balboa – a form of American Swing – with a series of workshops, taught by international teachers, followed by evening parties.